Rabbi Perl urges Long Island families to join national Shabbat observance

By AI, Created 10:18 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Rabbi Anchelle Perl of Chabad of Mineola is encouraging Long Island families to take part in a nationwide Shabbat observance tied to Jewish American Heritage Month on May 15–16. He says the White House proclamation is a chance for Americans of all backgrounds to pause for faith, family and renewal.

Why it matters: - The national call for a shared Shabbat is meant to elevate rest, gratitude and family connection during Jewish American Heritage Month. - Rabbi Anchelle Perl says the observance offers a rare chance to reconnect with Jewish tradition and a broader American ethic of moral responsibility. - The message is aimed beyond the Jewish community, framing Shabbat as a practice with universal value.

What happened: - The White House marked Jewish American Heritage Month with a proclamation calling for a nationwide Shabbat observance on May 15–16. - Rabbi Anchelle Perl, director of Chabad of Mineola and host of “Jewish Talk” on 90.3 WHPC, urged Long Island families to participate. - Perl described the initiative as “a rare and powerful opportunity to rediscover the gift of Shabbat—not merely as a ritual, but as a way of life.” - Perl said the proclamation recognizes “the values of faith, rest, gratitude, and moral responsibility” as part of American life.

The details: - The proclamation is presented as the first time a sitting U.S. president has designated a national Shabbat as part of Jewish American Heritage Month. - Perl tied the moment to George Washington’s 1790 statement that the United States “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” - Perl also highlighted Haym Salomon, whose financial support helped sustain the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. - Perl said Jewish values and Jewish sacrifice have helped shape American freedom since the nation’s founding. - The designated Shabbat falls during the Torah portion Bamidbar, read just before Shavuot, the holiday marking the giving of the Torah. - Perl pointed to Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson’s 1986 call for a global “Shabbat of Unity,” where Jews come together “as one person with one heart.” - Perl said true unity means recognizing that people are part of “one living whole.”

Between the lines: - The proclamation blends civic language with religious observance, positioning Shabbat as both a faith practice and a communal reset. - Perl’s framing suggests the goal is not only participation in a ritual, but a wider cultural moment around slowing down and strengthening relationships. - The emphasis on Washington, Salomon and Schneerson links the campaign to both American history and Jewish spiritual tradition.

What to do: - Perl recommended lighting Shabbat candles before sunset on Friday to “bring light into your home.” - He urged families to share the Shabbat table, put away distractions and focus on conversation, blessings and presence. - He described Shabbat’s “four meals” as a way to connect the past, present and future. - The Friday night meal is tied to the past and remembrance of creation. - Shabbat lunch is tied to the present and today’s blessings. - Seudah Shlishit is described as a quiet, soulful taste of redemption and the future. - Melaveh Malkah is presented as a way to carry Shabbat into the coming week. - Perl also encouraged families to unplug from devices, reconnect with people and add one more mitzvah through a blessing, prayer or kind word.

What’s next: - Perl is urging Americans to observe Shabbat on May 15–16 as a shared national moment. - He said one Shabbat can uplift a family and a national Shabbat can uplift a nation. - Perl’s broader goal is to turn the proclamation into a practical expression of unity, reflection and renewal.

The bottom line: - Perl is using the White House proclamation to turn Jewish American Heritage Month into a call for nationwide rest, connection and spiritual renewal.